Acadia Hospital Wish Tree Receives Generous Donation

Posted: 12/15/2017

Acadia Hospital President Scott A. Oxley (L.) is joined by Acadia and Deloitte staff holding a small fraction of the Wish Tree items purchased to benefit Acadia Hospital's young patients during the holiday season. Seventy-five Deloitte employees used their own funds totaling $4,800 and were able to purchase all the wish items for Acadia's pediatric services.

Acadia Hospital employees are spreading holiday cheer this year by carrying on what has become an annual tradition – the Acadia Hospital Wish Tree. The tree features wish tags for items that patients and/or departments request as gifts. These items, which are for adult and pediatric patients, may be for essentials such as hats and coats; or the little things that can make a stay in the hospital more pleasant, including games and toys.

Employees from Acadia and EMHS pick a card, purchase the item written on the card, and donate the gift. The presents are delivered to patients before Christmas. The Wish Tree is a tradition that is embraced by staff, because it’s a simple and powerful way to make a difference.

This year consultants from Deloitte, who are working with EMHS, decided to band together and help make wishes come true, much to the delight of Acadia leadership and employees. They all pitched in with their own funds, and were able to make a significant number of purchases of wish items. On Thursday, December 14 a number of the consultants took the time to personally deliver the gifts to Acadia Hospital child and adolescent staff.

Brian Augustian, principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP, shared the rationale behind the effort, “At Deloitte, giving is part of our culture and we believe we make the greatest impact when we work together. We’re so happy that our team has been able to help fulfill the wishes of the children in the pediatric services at Acadia Hospital and come together for such a great cause during this season of giving.”

It was truly a joyous day at Acadia Hospital, as many hospital staff waited excitedly to greet the Deloitte consultants and accept the gifts, including Acadia Hospital president Scott A. Oxley. “We are truly grateful to be the recipient of such generosity,” commented Oxley. “The consultants’ individual contributions demonstrate a level of ownership and caring on their part that really illustrates their desire to make a difference locally, even as they are away from their own families and friends.”